Tubular drill mast

Abstract

A drill mast has two tubular side chords and a central chord equally spaced from the side chords. The central chord is joined to the side chords by transverse and diagonal tubular lacing members. Space frames formed of tubular members extending from spheres are connected to each of the chords. The spheres are aligned along a line equidistant from the chords.

We claim: 
     
       1. A drill mast, comprising: a pair of spaced, parallel longitudinal side chords and a central longitudinal chord equally spaced from and parallel to the side chords;   transverse and diagonal lacing members joining the chords together along their length, the lacing members forming triangular panels; and   three-dimensional bodies disposed equidistant between the side chords and to which the lacing members joining the side chords are connected.   
     
     
       2. A drill mast in accordance with claim 1 wherein the bodies are disposed within the triangle defined by the three chords. 
     
     
       3. A drill mast in accordance with claim 2 together with a track mounted along the length of each side chord. 
     
     
       4. A drill mast, comprising: a pair of spaced, parallel tubular side chords and a central tubular chord that is equally spaced from and parallel to the side chords;   tubular lacing members joining the chords together along the length of the chords;   said lacing members including transverse and diagonal members defining triangular openings with the chords;   and three-dimensional bodies disposed equidistant between the side chords and to which the lacing members joining the side chords are connected.   
     
     
       5. A drill mast in accordance with claim 4 wherein the lacing members joining the side chords are connected to spheres disposed intermediate the side chords. 
     
     
       6. A drill mast in accordance with claim 5 wherein the spheres are disposed in a line that is parallel to the chords and spaced equidistant from the chords. 
     
     
       7. A drill mast in accordance with claim 6 together with tracks mounted along the length of the side chords. 
     
     
       8. A drill mast in accordance with claim 5 wherein the chords, lacing members, and spheres are steel and are joined by welding. 
     
     
       9. A drill mast in accordance with claim 4 wherein the side chords are formed of rectangular tubes and the central chord is round. 
     
     
       10. A drill mast, comprising: a pair of spaced, parallel tubular side chords and a central tubular chord that is equally spaced from and parallel to the side chords;   tubular transverse and diagonal lacing members joining the central chord to each of the side chords along the length of the chords; and   frames joining the chords together along their length, the space frames being formed by diagonal tubular lacing members connected to the chords and to spheres disposed intermediate the side chords.   
     
     
       11. A drill mast in accordance with claim 10 wherein the spheres are disposed in a line that is parallel to the chords and spaced equidistant from the chords. 
     
     
       12. A drill mast in accordance with claim 11 wherein the side chords are formed of rectangular tubes and a track is mounted along the length of each side chord.